I attended the League of Women Voters of Illinois Convention in late June as a delegate from the LWVE. This is the meeting for approving budgets, programs, slates of candidates for the board, and bylaws changes. Below are some of my observations and impressions from my first encounter with this every-other-year LWVIL event.

Engaged participants had a lot to say and they also listened. They challenged proposed bylaw changes such as removing interleague organization rules and ways of operating from the bylaws and putting them in policies. Their argument— that reduced transparency and ability to discuss changes (only bylaws are debated, not policies)— won over the delegates. Others requested that a balance sheet for the Illinois League be available in the convention preparation materials. Some delegates did the math and requested changes to bylaws governing the minimum number of board members. Many of the proposed changes were agreed to and adopted by the delegates. 

The proposed LWVIL Program for 2025-2027 was put together based on only 17 of the 44 local Leagues responding to a survey about priorities and focus for the next two years. The program platforms (education and lobbying priorities adopted every two years reflecting the priorities of local Leagues who voted) mostly stayed intact with delegates approving the addition of phrasing to the Equity of Opportunity Program—we are “anti-hatred and anti-discrimination.”  To the Defending Democracy Program, the delegates agreed to add “allow local jurisdictions to explore the alternative electoral methods, and the direct election of the president.” This idea was sponsored by the Deerfield League and Chicago League, and they campaigned to get agreement prior to the convention. 

For the first time, the slate of recommended officers, directors, and nominating committee were voted on via paper ballot rather than a voice vote.  Delegates could also write in candidates. The change was made to provide privacy.  Delegates collectively approved the slate. 

Directions to the Board (opportunity for the delegates to provide advice and ideas for consideration by the Board) varied from thought-provoking ideas to how to improve the convention to “this is what I am thinking.” A sprinkling of directions offered:

Instead of waiting two years for representatives from Leagues across the state to get together, there will be a connection point in Springfield in 2026. It will be more informal, less about bylaws and approving budgets, and more about continuing to activate the local Leagues. Updates will be shared as we learn more about the plans. 

The full LWVIL Biennium report presented at the Illinois convention is available online,  It provides and overview of LWVIL 2023 to 2025 activities and actions.